Urinals for use by humans when in supine position



March 18, 1969 T. F. SCHWARTZ URINALS FOR USE BY HUMANS WHEN IN SUPINE POSITION Sheet L of5 Filed June 27, 1966 URETHERAL ORIFICE PREPUCE URETHERAL ORIFICE LABIUM MAJOR INVENTOR.

THEODORE E SCHWARTZ BY BUTTOCKS M g h March 18, 1969 T. F. SCHWARTZ URINALS FOR USE BY HUMANS WHEN IN SUPINE POSITION Sheet 2 Filed June 27, 1966 L HORIZONTAL SURFACE INVENTOR.

THEDORE E SCHWARTZ Mamh 1969 T. F. SCHWARTZ 3, 3 3

URINALS FOR USE BY HUMANS WHEN IN SUPINE POSITION Filed June 27. 1966 Sheet of 5 INVENTOR. THEODORE E SCHWARTZ United States Patent 3,432,863 URINALS FOR USE BY HUMANS WHEN IN SUPINE POSITION Theodore F. Schwartz, 11660 St. Andrews Way, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85251 Filed June 27, 1966, Ser. No. 560,426 US. Cl. 4110 14 Claims Int. Cl. E03d 13/00; A47k 11/00 This invention relates to a urinal for use by humans when in a supine position or semi-supine position, and more particularly, to such a urinal which is economically disposable.

In hospitals and various other institutions and including home use areas, conventional rigid bedpan-type urinals have posed many problems relating to their use and maintenance. This is particularly true with relation to female patients who normally use a conventional bedpan for the purpose of urination and in all instances, when such a pan is used, a patient must be lifted to place the pan thereunder. Additionally, the pan must be maintained in sanitary condition and in general, bedpans are substantially expensive.

Heretofore, various genitalia-fitting urinals have been designed for use by females in supine position, but these urinals have not been entirely satisfactory either from the standpoint of use or disposability. While genitaliafitting urinals have been designed for females, they tend to permit urine to dribble into the vagina of the female, when in supine position, which in some instances, is undesirable, particularly after childbirth or with relation to some infectious conditions. Additionally, prior art genitalia-fitting urinals have been difiicult to handle after they are urinated into and therefore, require special handling.

One problem with relation to genitalia-fitting urinals is that these urinals tend to engage closely with relation to the rectal area and may tend to transfer infection to the vagina.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a very novel urinal, particularly for use by the human female when in supine position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very novel and economically disposable urinal for engagement with the genitalia of a human female when in supine position, whereby transfer of bacteria to the genitalia of the female may be minimized.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very novel urinal, wherein a flexible bag and a relatively rigid hollow cylindrical neck structure are connected and wherein the neck structure is provided with an open rim adapted and shaped to fit the genitalia of a human female, such as to surround the urethral orifice and clitoris of a human female and to sealingly bear on the labia minora at opposite sides of the urethral orifice and to sealingly bear against the anterior area of the vagina of the female, whereby urine does not flow downward into the vagina during urination of the female when in supine position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a urinal comprising a flexible urine containing bag structure and a relatively rigid hollow cylindrical neck structure having one open end and an opposite end connected to the neck structure and wherein the structure of the neck diverges from the open end to the bag structure and whereby the bag structure is sufficiently flexible, such as to deflect horizontally on a horizontal surface in order to lay flat under the opposite end of the neck structure and thus permitting the neck structure to stand upright on the bag structure, when the bag structure contains urine so that immediately after use of the urinal, it may be placed on a stand adjacent the patients bed and then later may be carried away and disposed of.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urinal of disposable nature, which is provided with a flexible bag and a relatively rigid hollow cylindrical neck connected thereto; said neck having an open inlet end surrounded by a rim which is particularly adapted and disposed to intimately and sealingly fit the genitalia of a human female, such as to surround .theurethral orifice and clitoris of the female and to sealingly .bear on the labia minora at opposite sides of the orifice and .to sealingly bear against the anterior area of the vagina of the female, all of which provides a -very comfortably fitting urinal, which may be used in supine position and which may be sized according to the general age of the female and which may be adapted for all purposes of urination, when in supine position.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention may be obvious from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the neck portion of a urinal of the present invention, shown engaged with the genitalia of a human female in supine position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a disposable urinal of the present invention, shown with the neck thereof in upright position and the urine receiving opening disposed upwardly and with the opposite end thereof connected to a flexible bag of the urinal and resting thereon; said bag supported on a horizontal surface and containing urine; FIG. 3 further showing a broken line position of ,the flexible bag of the urinal in position as it may be carried while containing urine;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the rim of the urinal neck taken from the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 55 of FIG. 3; a

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the flexible bag of the urinal hanging down substantially in the position, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a urinal, in accordance with the present invention, and particularly adapted for use by human males and showing by broken lines, the disposition of a male organ in position to urinate in the urinal and illustrating portions of the urinal in section; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary open end elevational view of the urinal taken from the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the urinal of the present invention comprises a thin flexible bag 10 which may be made of polyethylene or'any other economical plastic. This soft flexible bag 10 is integral with a hollow cylindrical neck structure 12 of the invention. The neck structure 12 having an open end 14 and an opposite end 16 around the perimeter of which the bag 10 is integral. The bag 10 being very flexible is capable of deflecting horizontally, as indicated by solid lines in FIG. 3 of the drawings, and to hold urine in such a position on a horizontal surface, while the normally upright position of the neck structure is maintained, wherein the open end 14 is upward and the opposite end thereof is sup-ported on the bottom wall 18 of the bag structure 10.

It will be seen that the neck structure 12 diverges from its open end 14 toward its opposite end 16 in order to provide a broad stable base upon which the neck structure may rest in upright position, when the urinal is distended with urine and resting on a horizontal surface, such as a stand at the bedside of the patient.

The open end of the urinal is provided with a rim structure 20, which is capable of fitting the genitalia of a human female.

As shown in FIG. 4, the side walls of the neck 12 may diverge from the center line thereof in the same manner, as shown in FIG. 3, 90 from the plane of the section of FIG. 4.

In FIG. 5, the relative wall thickness of the neck 12 and the bag is illustrated in order to accentuate the relative rigidity of the neck 12, as compared to the flexibility of the bag 10.

The neck 12, while integral with the bag 10, may include an internal layer of stiffening material, designated 22, which may serve to economize on the use of polyethylene or other plastics in the forming of the urinal of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rim of the neck structure 12 is disposed to fit the genitalia of a human female and it is substantially eliptical in cross-section, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. When the human female is in supine position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper portion 24 of the rim 20 engages the genitalia above the clitoris in the area of the prepuce and the eliptical cross-section, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, is such that the rim 20 at opposite sides 26 and 28 sealingly engages with the labia minora at opposite sides of the urethral orifice and that a normally lower portion of the rim 20 engages the anterior wall of the vagina or the anterior area thereof below the urethral orifice. Accordingly, it will be seen that the clitoris and the urethral orifice are surrounded and that the rim 20 sealingly engages the anterior area of the vagina and the labia minora at opposite sides of the urethral orifice.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rim 20 intersects the labia minora at 29 on each side of the genital area, such that slight pressure of the rim 20 thereagainst, tends comfortably to open the labia and to thereby expose the urethral orifice sufficiently for urination when the patient is in supine position.

Additionally, it will be understood that slight pressure of the rim 20 in the area of the prepuce and anterior wall of the vagina, also tends comfortably to open the labia to a degree compatible with urination when the patient is in supine position.

It will be seen that the portion 30 of the rim 20, which engages the anterior wall of the vagina, is slightly hookshaped in order to curve downwardly and inwardly to a position substantially below and inward of the urethral orifice so that urine may flow from the urethral orifice, as shown in FIG. 1, downwardly in a direction, as indicated by an arrow A, on a declining wall of the neck 12, all of which greatly facilitates the flow of urine downwardly into the bag 10. The disposition of the portion 30 of the rim 20 in engagement with the anterior area of the vagina provides an eflicient seal so that urine does not enter the mouth of the vagina which is particularly advantageous following childbirth or during certain conditions, when there may be danger of infection of the vagina.

Additionally, the engaging portion 30 of the rim 20 is disposed to be located, such that it does not even inadvertently reach the rectal area and, consequently, avoids the possibility of transferring bacteria or other infections from the area of the rectum to the area of the vagina.

It will be understood that the open end 14 and the rim 20 of the neck 12 may be sized to fit human females of various ages and that the neck 12 being of relatively rigid construction permits the rim 20 to be compressively engaged with the mucus membranes of the female genitalia, as hereinbefore described, to limit the area which may be wetted by urine during urination of the female in supine position.

As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the urethral orifice of most females is located somewhat below the clitoris, however, as age increases and the subcutaneous tissues shrink, the urethral orifice becomes withdrawn to a position very close or contiguous to the clitoris, and it is therefore necessary for the rim portion 20 to be disposed to engage the area of the prepuce above the clitoris in order that the use of the urinal by ladies of old age may be effective.

It will further be understood, that the neck 12 of the urinal of the invention, may be placed in position by taping it to the human body, as for example, in cases where it is desirable to obtain urine specimens from female babies. These urinals will, of necessity, be of smaller size than those used by the adults.

In the modification, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a male version of the urinal of the invention is disclosed. This modification comprises a flexible bag similar to the bag 10 and a relatively rigid hollow cylindrical neck 40 having a rim 42 which is substantially circular in crosssection, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The rim 42 surrounds an opening 44 into which a male organ 46 may be inserted for urination into the bag 10.

It will be understood, that the neck 40 diverges from the open end 44 to a base portion 48 thereof to which the bag 10 is connected so that the male urinal, shown in FIG. 7, may assume a position similar to that, as shown in FIG. 3, with the open end 44 upward and the bag distended on a horizontal surface and in position so that the normally base end 48 of the neck 40 will rest upon the bag 10 and in the horizontal position similar to that as shown in FIG. 3.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a urinal the combination of: a flexible urine-containing bag structure; and a relatively rigid hollow cylindrical neck structure for said bag structure, said neck structure having an open end and an opposite end connected to said bag structure; said neck structure shaped and adapted to stand upright with its open end upward and its opposite end resting on said bag structure, when said bag structure contains liquid and is disposed on a substantially horizontal surface and said bag structure being adapted and disposed to deflect horizontally on said surface so as to lay flat under said opposite end of said neck structure.

2. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said neck structure diverges from its open end to its said opposite end to provide convenient nesting when said bag is collapsed and a stable base area for upright support of said neck structure on said bag structure, when said bag structure contains liquid and is disposed on said horizontal surface.

3. The invention, as defined in claim 2, wherein: said neck structure and said bag structure are integral and said bag structure is substantially thinner than said neck structure.

4. In a urinal the combination of: a urine containing structure; and a hollow cylindrical neck structure for said urine containing structure; said neck structure having an open end, and an opposite end connected to said urine containing structure; said neck structure having an open end rim surrounding said open end, said rim shaped and adapted to fit the genitals of a human female, such as to surround the female urethral orifice and to bear against the prepuce above or forward relative to the clitoris and to engagingly seal against the labia minora at opposite sides of said orifice and to sealingly engage at the anterior wall of the vagina.

5. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein: said neck structure at said rim being generally eliptical in cross-section.

6. The invention, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said neck structure is shaped and adapted to stand upright with its open end upward and its opposite end resting on said urine containing structure, when said bag structure contains liquid and is disposed on a substantially horizontal surface, said bag structure adapted and disposed to deflect horizontally on said surface so as to lay flat under said opposite end of said neck structure.

7. The invention, as defined in claim 6, wherein: said neck structure diverges from its open end to its said opposite end to provide a stable base area for upright support of said neck structure on said bag structure, when said bag structure is on said horizontal surface.

8. The invention, as defined in claim 7, wherein: said neck structure and said bag structure being integral with each other and said bag structure being substantially thinner than said neck structure.

9. The invention, as defined in claim 8, wherein: a flexible urine containing bag structure; and a relatively rigid hollow cylindrical neck structure for said bag structure; said neck structure having an open end, and an opposite end integral with said bag structure; said neck structure having an open end rim surrounding said open end, said rim shaped and adapted to fit the genitalia of a human female, such as to surround the urethral orifice of said female and to bear against the prepuce above or forward relative to the clitoris and to engagingly seal against the labia minora at opposite sides of said orifice and to sealingly engage at the anterior wall of the vagina.

10. In a urinal the combination of: a flexible urinecontaining bag structure; and a relatively rigid hollow cylindrical neck structure for said bag structure; said neck structure having an open end and an opposite end connected to said bag structure; said neck structure having an open end rim surrounding said open end; said rim shaped and adapted to fit the genitalia of a human female, such as to surround the female urethral orifice and clitoris and to sealingly bear on the labia minora at opposite sides of said orifice; and to sealingly bear against the anterior area of the female vagina.

11. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein: said rim is shaped and adapted to intersect the labia minora at each side of the genital area, such that slight pressure of said rim against said labia minora tends comfortably to open the labia and to thereby expose the urethral, said neck having a wall extending in a downwardly declining direction away from said rim at an area where it is engagable with said anterior wall of a vagina, when the respective female is in supine position.

12. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein: said rim is thin and adapted, when slight pressure thereof, is exerted in the area against the prepuce and anterior wall of the vagina to comfortably open the labia to a degree compatible with urination in supine position, said neck having a wall extending in a downwardly declining direction away from said rim at an area where it is engageable with said anterior wall of a vagina, when the respective female is in supine position.

13. In a urinal, the combination of: a flexible containing bag structure; said urine containing structure having a relatively rigid hollow cylindrical neck structure communicating with said bag structure, said hollow cylindrical neck structure having an open end, said neck structure having a rim at said open end and surrounding said open end, said rim shaped and adapted to fit the genitalia of a human female, such as to surround the urethral orifice of said female and to bear against the prepuce above or forward relative to the clitoris and to engagingly seal against the labia minora at opposite sides of said orifice and to sealingly engage at the anterior wall of the vagina.

14. The invention, as defined in claim 13, wherein: said neck structure at said rim is generally eliptical in cross-section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 137,214 3/1873 Knight et al. 4-110 1,127,151 2/1915 Alford 4-142 1,458,640 6/1923 Chase 4-1 10 2,182,254 12/1939 Farrell 4-112 2,382,276 8/1945 Wells 4-1 10 3,002,194 10/ 1961 Wuest 4-142 3,161,891 12/1964 Bauman 4-110 3,177,500 4/1965 Bauman 41 10 3,329,973 7/ 1967 Bobbe 4110 3,335,714 8/1967 Giesy 41 10 FOREIGN PATENTS 11,076 6/ 1894 Great Britain.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 4-142 

1. IN A URINAL THE COMBINATION OF: A FLEXIBLE URINE-CONTAINING BAG STRUCTURE; AND A RELATIVELY RIGID HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL NECK STRUCTURE FOR SAID BAG STRUCTURE, SAID NECK STRUCTURE HAVING AN OPEN END AND AN OPPOSITE END CONNECTED TO SAID BAG STRUCTURE; SAID NECK STRUCTURE SHAPED AND ADAPTED TO STAND UPRIGHT WITH ITS OPEN END UPWARD AND ITS OPPOSITE END RESTING ON SAID BAG STRUCTURE, WHEN SAID BAG STRUCTURE CONTAINS LIQUID AND IS DISPOSED ON A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL SURFACE AND SAID BAG STRUCTURE BEING ADAPTED AND DISPOSED TO DEFLECT HORIZONTALLY 